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US Capitol shooting: Police shoot armed man at visitor centre | US Capitol shooting: Police shoot armed man at visitor centre |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Police shot an armed man as he tried to enter the US Capitol building's visitor centre in Washington, officials said. | Police shot an armed man as he tried to enter the US Capitol building's visitor centre in Washington, officials said. |
A female bystander suffered minor injuries when police fired at the suspect. | A female bystander suffered minor injuries when police fired at the suspect. |
Officials said the suspect was known to Capitol police and ABC News reported that the man had disrupted a House session last year. | Officials said the suspect was known to Capitol police and ABC News reported that the man had disrupted a House session last year. |
The massive complex was placed on lockdown, but the security precaution has since been lifted. | The massive complex was placed on lockdown, but the security precaution has since been lifted. |
US Capitol police identified the suspect as 66-year-old Larry Dawson of Tennessee. | |
In October, he was arrested for interrupting a Congressional session, yelling "prophet of god". | In October, he was arrested for interrupting a Congressional session, yelling "prophet of god". |
Police said he had been charged with assault with a deadly weapon and assault on a police officer while armed. They said he remains in a "critical but stable condition" in hospital. | |
Police called the shooting an "isolated" incident, saying there is "no active threat" to the public. | |
Officials originally said a police officer had been hurt, but Capitol Police Chief Matthew Verderosa said no officers were shot. | Officials originally said a police officer had been hurt, but Capitol Police Chief Matthew Verderosa said no officers were shot. |
"There is no reason to believe this is anything more than a criminal act," Mr Verderosa said. | "There is no reason to believe this is anything more than a criminal act," Mr Verderosa said. |
He said the suspect's vehicle was found on Capitol grounds and the weapon was recovered. | He said the suspect's vehicle was found on Capitol grounds and the weapon was recovered. |
The gunman was undergoing surgery at a hospital and his condition was unknown, Mr Verderosa said. | The gunman was undergoing surgery at a hospital and his condition was unknown, Mr Verderosa said. |
US Congress is on recess for the Easter holiday, but some members of Congress and staff members were on site. | US Congress is on recess for the Easter holiday, but some members of Congress and staff members were on site. |
To enter the US Capitol or any Senate or House office buildings, visitors must go through a metal detector and weapons are not permitted. | To enter the US Capitol or any Senate or House office buildings, visitors must go through a metal detector and weapons are not permitted. |
Mr Verderosa said the suspect pulled out his gun just before being screened by those metal detectors. | Mr Verderosa said the suspect pulled out his gun just before being screened by those metal detectors. |
Diane Bilo, a woman from Ohio, told the Washington Post her husband heard the shot. | Diane Bilo, a woman from Ohio, told the Washington Post her husband heard the shot. |
"My husband said he heard a shot followed by a full clip," she said. Multiple members of Congress have posted to social media, reporting that their staff were safe. | "My husband said he heard a shot followed by a full clip," she said. Multiple members of Congress have posted to social media, reporting that their staff were safe. |
In 1998, an attacker shot and killed two police officers at the Capitol. The visitor centre was built as a way to strengthen security after the shooting. | In 1998, an attacker shot and killed two police officers at the Capitol. The visitor centre was built as a way to strengthen security after the shooting. |
Many tourists are in Washington for the annual Cherry Blossom festival - about 1.5 million people visit the city during the four weeks of the festival. | Many tourists are in Washington for the annual Cherry Blossom festival - about 1.5 million people visit the city during the four weeks of the festival. |
The White House was also put on lockdown temporarily due to a separate incident. | The White House was also put on lockdown temporarily due to a separate incident. |